Boo hoo! Toyota axing FJ Cruiser after 2014

Nov. 5, 2013
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Los Angeles-based model Jenny Bauer poses with a sad face to mark the news that 2014 will be the last year for 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. This is the Ultimate edition to mark its end. / Dan MacMedan USA TODAY

by James R. Healey and Chris Woodyard , USA TODAY

by James R. Healey and Chris Woodyard , USA TODAY

The 2014 Ultimate Edition goes on sale in January. Toyota will announce pricing closer to the on-sale date. The FJ model is being discontinued worldwide, after the 2014 model year, Toyota says, and the Ultimate Edition is intended to mark that with a bang, not a whimper.

Introduced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show here, the special FJ "pays tribute to the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960's, from which the FJ Cruiser draws its rugged DNA, inspiration and design," Toyota says. The white and "Heritage Blue" paint job evokes the typical color scheme of the classic FJ40.

Just 2,500 of the 2014 Ultimate Edition Fs will be built, the automaker says. It is intended for rugged off-roading, featuring upgrades by Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

The special edition is available only as a four-wheel-drive model with locking rear differential, active traction control and other traction and stability electronics.

The FJ Cruiser was introduced as a 2006 model, intended to capitalize on nostalgia for the old FJ40. Toyota says it has sold more than 200,000 FJ Cruisers since then.

While that's a big number, it works to only an average of 20,000-25,000 a year. That's fine for a niche model, but Toyota's a high-volume player. Toyota's sold 10,676 FJ Cruisers the first 10 months this year, according to Autodata.